FaultScore report
Owners have filed 134 complaints about the 1999 Toyota 4 Runner with NHTSA between 1999 and 2006. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 12 worst.
FaultScore 66/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota 4 Runner.
How this is worked out134
Complaints
22
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
72,505 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
9%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 3 fires · median 104,750 mi
Median failure at 72,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,000 mi
Median failure at 65,120 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 57,735 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 102,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,000 mi
Median failure at 57,735 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A LARGE TREE IN WHICH THE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10169155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT REVVED VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KEY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE , AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. A FIRE REPORT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, AND THE BELTS WERE DESTROYED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10141785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
RELATED TO: MOST OF THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD POWER SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SITE. LAST EVENING, I LAID MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET ON THE PASSEGER SEAT BEFOR I STARTED THE ENGINE, WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A SMALL TURN, THIS MOVEMENT CAUSED MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET SLIDED DOWN TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE ENDED UNDER THE RIGHT SEAT. SO I STOPED THE CAR AND BENDED OVER THE RIGHT SIDE TO GET THEM OUT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, SINCE THEY WERE UNDER THE SEAT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN REACH THEM. THEN I USED MY LEFT HAND, TRIED REACH THEM FROM UNDER THE SEAT. GUES WHAT HAPPENED? SINCE MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE RIGHT SITE OF THE SEAT, IT ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE SEAT MOVE FORWARD BUTTON, THE SEAT WAS MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY LEFT HAND STILL UNDER THE SEAT. BECAUSE THERE IS A MATEL OBJECT WAS UNDER, IT HURT MY LEFT HAND BADLY, LUCKILY I REALIZED I WAS PUSHING THE BOTTON, I RELEASED IT ON TIME, SO THERE'S NO SERIOUS INJURE. HAD I NOT RELEASE MY RIGHT HAND ON TIME, I WOULD HAVE GOT A REAL SERIOUS INJURY. SO PLEASE START SOME OF YOUR INVESTIGATION. IF POSSIBLE MAKE A RECALL RECOMMENDATION TO THOSE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE THE SAME SAFTY THREAD. THANKS. YAN FANG CAO
NHTSA complaint #10086531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
RELATED TO: MOST OF THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD POWER SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SITE. LAST EVENING, I LAID MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET ON THE PASSEGER SEAT BEFOR I STARTED THE ENGINE, WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A SMALL TURN, THIS MOVEMENT CAUSED MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET SLIDED DOWN TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE ENDED UNDER THE RIGHT SEAT. SO I STOPED THE CAR AND BENDED OVER THE RIGHT SIDE TO GET THEM OUT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, SINCE THEY WERE UNDER THE SEAT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN REACH THEM. THEN I USED MY LEFT HAND, TRIED REACH THEM FROM UNDER THE SEAT. GUES WHAT HAPPENED? SINCE MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE RIGHT SITE OF THE SEAT, IT ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE SEAT MOVE FORWARD BUTTON, THE SEAT WAS MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY LEFT HAND STILL UNDER THE SEAT. BECAUSE THERE IS A MATEL OBJECT WAS UNDER, IT HURT MY LEFT HAND BADLY, LUCKILY I REALIZED I WAS PUSHING THE BOTTON, I RELEASED IT ON TIME, SO THERE'S NO SERIOUS INJURE. HAD I NOT RELEASE MY RIGHT HAND ON TIME, I WOULD HAVE GOT A REAL SERIOUS INJURY. SO PLEASE START SOME OF YOUR INVESTIGATION. IF POSSIBLE MAKE A RECALL RECOMMENDATION TO THOSE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE THE SAME SAFTY THREAD. THANKS. YAN FANG CAO
NHTSA complaint #10086531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE PULLING OUR 1999 4-RUNNER WITH 39,000 MILES INTO A PARKING STALL, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING, RESULTING IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN (NOT FROM TOYOTA) EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS OBSERVED. HOWEVER, DURING A ROAD TEST, THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AGAIN WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THEY "CAUGHT" AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. A TOYOTA DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TODAY AFTER WHICH, WE WERE CALLED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. OTHER THAN A VISUAL INSPECTION AND ROAD TEST, TOYOTA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT TOYOTA IS TELLING ME TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #10072982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 4 HOURS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PUT THE FIR OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10050349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A LARGE TREE IN WHICH THE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10169155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE. THE CONTACT IS UNSURE IF THIS IS THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A CONTINUOUS KNOCKING SOUND, AND A INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION WHEN IT IS ACCELERATING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10164245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE NEW LAMPS REPLACED AND THEY GO OUT IN A FEW WEEKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN '99.
NHTSA complaint #10162828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
(1) HIGH PITCHED ENGINE SQUEAK; ASSUMED WORN BELT. (2) MAIN PULLEY KEY LOCKING MAIN PULLEY TO CRANK SHAFT HAD SHEARED INTO TWO PIECES. ONE PIECE LOST. PULLEY MOVED OUT OF POSITION, STRESSING BELT AND CAUSING NOISE. REMAINING PIECE OF THE KEY WAS EMBEDDED AND FUSED INTO THE CRANK SHAFT. PULLEY KEY IS $ PART. OBVIOUSLY, NOT DURABLE ENOUGH FOR CRITICAL ENGINE PART, WHICH WHEN FAILS CAN RUIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE. EVEN 500 X THE $ COST WOULD BE WORTH HAVING TITANIUM OR TUNGSTEN STEEL PART THAT WOULD NEVER FAIL. TOYOTA IS CUTTING CORNERS, SACRIFICING QUALITY IN THE NAME OF PROFIT. I RISKED HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE -- A $9,000 CONSIDERATION. (3) FORTUNATELY OLD MILL TOYOTA (OMAHA, NEBRASKA. WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FUSED PART AND SAVE THE ENGINE. A PROPERLY ENGINEERED PART, EVEN AT MUCH GREATER COST, WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME FROM THIS RISK.
NHTSA complaint #10148479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LEAKING REAR AXLE GREASE SEALS WHICH THROW GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE SHOES. CAUSING INCONSISTENT AND UNSAFE BRAKING. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA OF AUBURN CALIFORNIA, REPAIRS SIMILAR TO THIS ARE BEING PERFORMED ON SIMILAR VINTAGE TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER MODELS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THE AVERAGE REPAIR COST IS $850. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT NOT A STANDARD MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND COULD RESULT IN INJURIES OR DEATH. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10143958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999-TOYOTA 4-RUNNER STARTED TO CONVULSE,SEIZE, AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, OIL WAS POURING OUT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. TOYOTA REFUSED TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT EXPERT DIAGNOSED A "HOLE IN THE BLOCK FROM A DEFECTIVE CONNECTING ROD WHICH HAD SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE WALL" TOYOTA REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY!!
NHTSA complaint #10143577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT REVVED VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KEY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE , AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. A FIRE REPORT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, AND THE BELTS WERE DESTROYED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10141785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WHICH I HAD JUST PURCHASED WITH 104,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAST LANE ON I-695 WHEN THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND SLOWING DOWN VERY FAST. I BARELY CROSSED THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. THE GAS GUAGE READ JUST UNDER 1/2 FULL, BUT ACCORDING TO A TSB, THE GUAGE AND SENDER UNIT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I HAD NO WARNING FROM THE CAR TO TELL ME MY GAS TANK WAS FULL. RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY IS DANGEROUS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL - WHY THIS ISN'T CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT. I WAS USING MY ODOMETER TO KEEP TRACK, BUT THE OTHER DAY, I RAN OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK WITH THE A/C ON, IT MUST USE MORE GAS. I'M VERY UPSET.
NHTSA complaint #10125720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
DT: CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED TWICE WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB....REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED FLUID. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10121631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES ON HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING WRECK. FIND OUT THERE IS NO FUEL IN TANK EVEN THOUGH FUEL GAUGE READS 1/3. TOYOTA SAYS TSB EL010-00 ADDRESSES KNOWN DEFECTIVE 1999 AND 2000 FUEL GAUGES AND ALSO ADDRESSES SOME GAUGES INACCURATELY READING EMPTY WHEN 4 GALLONS REMAIN, BUT MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAVE 72545 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR FIX. NO ENGINE, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, LOTS OF TRAFFIC. I AM IN THE NAVY AND WILL BE DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO SAN DIEGO NEXT MONTH ENROUTE TO JAPAN IN OCTOBER. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BUT SINCE IT'S ONLY A TSB AND NOT A RECALL, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT MYSELF. THESE ARE KNOWN DEFECTS SINCE THE TRUCK GOT OUT OF THE TAHARA PLANT IN JAPAN FOR SALE TO THE U.S.
NHTSA complaint #10121641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES ON HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING WRECK. FIND OUT THERE IS NO FUEL IN TANK EVEN THOUGH FUEL GAUGE READS 1/3. TOYOTA SAYS TSB EL010-00 ADDRESSES KNOWN DEFECTIVE 1999 AND 2000 FUEL GAUGES AND ALSO ADDRESSES SOME GAUGES INACCURATELY READING EMPTY WHEN 4 GALLONS REMAIN, BUT MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAVE 72545 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR FIX. NO ENGINE, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, LOTS OF TRAFFIC. I AM IN THE NAVY AND WILL BE DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO SAN DIEGO NEXT MONTH ENROUTE TO JAPAN IN OCTOBER. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BUT SINCE IT'S ONLY A TSB AND NOT A RECALL, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT MYSELF. THESE ARE KNOWN DEFECTS SINCE THE TRUCK GOT OUT OF THE TAHARA PLANT IN JAPAN FOR SALE TO THE U.S.
NHTSA complaint #10121641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
THE CONSUMER SMELLED A GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE VENT AREA. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL RAIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10099176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
THE GAS GAUGE WOULD READ FULL WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY, AND VISA VERSA. THEN THE SKIN OF THE DASH BOARD BY THE TACHOMETER BUBBLED FROM THE HEAT OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD OVER HEATING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO ALSO DENIED THAT A BULLETIN EXISTED CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS WHO RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA REGARDING MY PROBLEM (REF: BULLETIN EL010-00). I CALLED TOYOTA BACK AND THEN WAS TOLD SORRY BUT YOUR OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY TIME LIMIT. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFICATION MADE TO THE CONSUMER BY TOYOTA REGARDING THIS MATTER. MY THE CIRCUIT BOARD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE BUBBLING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE HAD I CHOSE JUST IGNORE THE GAUGE PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS CHOSEN THE IGNORE THE PROBLEM IN HOPES THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPORTED AND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10096156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES ON FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING WRECK. FIND OUT THERE IS NO FUEL IN TANK EVEN THOUGH FUEL GAUGE READS 1/2. TOYOTA SAYS TSB EL010-00 ADDRESSES KNOWN DEFECTIVE 1999 AND 2000 FUEL GAUGES AND ALSO ADDRESSES SOME GAUGES INACCURATELY READING EMPTY WHEN 4 GALLONS REMAIN, MY VECHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOY WILL NOT PAY FOR FIX. NO ENGINE, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, LOTS OF TRAFFIC...*AK.
NHTSA complaint #10088620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
RELATED TO: MOST OF THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD POWER SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SITE. LAST EVENING, I LAID MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET ON THE PASSEGER SEAT BEFOR I STARTED THE ENGINE, WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A SMALL TURN, THIS MOVEMENT CAUSED MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET SLIDED DOWN TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE ENDED UNDER THE RIGHT SEAT. SO I STOPED THE CAR AND BENDED OVER THE RIGHT SIDE TO GET THEM OUT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, SINCE THEY WERE UNDER THE SEAT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN REACH THEM. THEN I USED MY LEFT HAND, TRIED REACH THEM FROM UNDER THE SEAT. GUES WHAT HAPPENED? SINCE MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE RIGHT SITE OF THE SEAT, IT ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE SEAT MOVE FORWARD BUTTON, THE SEAT WAS MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY LEFT HAND STILL UNDER THE SEAT. BECAUSE THERE IS A MATEL OBJECT WAS UNDER, IT HURT MY LEFT HAND BADLY, LUCKILY I REALIZED I WAS PUSHING THE BOTTON, I RELEASED IT ON TIME, SO THERE'S NO SERIOUS INJURE. HAD I NOT RELEASE MY RIGHT HAND ON TIME, I WOULD HAVE GOT A REAL SERIOUS INJURY. SO PLEASE START SOME OF YOUR INVESTIGATION. IF POSSIBLE MAKE A RECALL RECOMMENDATION TO THOSE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE THE SAME SAFTY THREAD. THANKS. YAN FANG CAO
NHTSA complaint #10086531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
RELATED TO: MOST OF THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD POWER SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SITE. LAST EVENING, I LAID MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET ON THE PASSEGER SEAT BEFOR I STARTED THE ENGINE, WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A SMALL TURN, THIS MOVEMENT CAUSED MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET SLIDED DOWN TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE ENDED UNDER THE RIGHT SEAT. SO I STOPED THE CAR AND BENDED OVER THE RIGHT SIDE TO GET THEM OUT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, SINCE THEY WERE UNDER THE SEAT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN REACH THEM. THEN I USED MY LEFT HAND, TRIED REACH THEM FROM UNDER THE SEAT. GUES WHAT HAPPENED? SINCE MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE RIGHT SITE OF THE SEAT, IT ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE SEAT MOVE FORWARD BUTTON, THE SEAT WAS MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY LEFT HAND STILL UNDER THE SEAT. BECAUSE THERE IS A MATEL OBJECT WAS UNDER, IT HURT MY LEFT HAND BADLY, LUCKILY I REALIZED I WAS PUSHING THE BOTTON, I RELEASED IT ON TIME, SO THERE'S NO SERIOUS INJURE. HAD I NOT RELEASE MY RIGHT HAND ON TIME, I WOULD HAVE GOT A REAL SERIOUS INJURY. SO PLEASE START SOME OF YOUR INVESTIGATION. IF POSSIBLE MAKE A RECALL RECOMMENDATION TO THOSE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE THE SAME SAFTY THREAD. THANKS. YAN FANG CAO
NHTSA complaint #10086531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE VIBRATING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND BOTH FRONT ROTORS. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10087295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE VIBRATING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND BOTH FRONT ROTORS. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10087295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY VEHICLE: 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED W/ PORT INSTALLED AUTO DIMMING MIRROR THE + AND - WIRE THAT GOES TO THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR WERE ACCIDENTALLY SHORTED ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. HERE'S THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY IT'S A FIRE HAZARD: IT TURNS OUT THAT WHEN THE MIRROR WAS INSTALLED (EITHER PORT OPTION OR DEALER OPTION ON LIMITED'S AND SR5'S W/ SUNROOFS - NOT INSTALLED IN JAPAN), THEY JUST RAN A WIRE (ACTUALLY TWO - A GROUND AND A "HOT" WIRE MATED TOGETHER) DOWN TO THE DRIVER SIDE KICK PANEL AND "HOPPED" THE HOT WIRE ONTO A HOT LEAD OF THE POWER ACCESSORY CIRCUIT COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS CIRCUIT IS ON A 30 AMP SLOW-BURN FUSE. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THE WIRES TO THE MIRROR WERE TO CROSS SOMEHOW - AS THEY DID FOR ME. THE FUSE WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY BLOW AND THE WIRES CAN GET HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE INSULATION OR SURROUNDING MATERIAL BEFORE THE SLOW-BLOW FUSE WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK THE CIRCUIT. THIS CAN TAKE AS LONG AS 10 SECONDS DEPENDING ON CURRENT AND HEAT GENERATED IN THE SLOW-BURN FUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10082223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
GAS GAUGE GIVES A FALSE READING. I TRAVEL TO IOWA OFTEN AND I KNOW WHEN TO GET GAS SO THAT I CAN MAKE IT HOME. DURING ONE TRIP I STOPPED TO TO GET GAS AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE INDICATE MORE GAS THAN I SHOULD HAVE. HAD I TRAVELED A DIFFERENT ROUTE AND RELIED ON THE GAUGE, I WOULD HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS AND GOT STRANDED, OR WORSE. MY CAR MIGHT HAVE DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND MIGHT HAVE CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENTS. SOMETIMES IT TELLS ME I HAVE 3/4 FULL TANK WHEN IT SHOULD BE ONLY 1/4.
NHTSA complaint #10081163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
EXPERIENCING SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND CONTROL IS DIFFICULT. IDENTIFIED AS WARPED ROTOR. TOYOTA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO REPLACE FRONT CALIPER/ROTOR WITH LARGER DESIGN. CLAIMS THAT ITS COMMON TO HAVE IT FAIL SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTEE COVERAGE. (FAILED AT 50000, COVERAGE TO 36000) PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH 17000 MILES AND ROTORS/PADS LOOK GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10074659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE PULLING OUR 1999 4-RUNNER WITH 39,000 MILES INTO A PARKING STALL, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING, RESULTING IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN (NOT FROM TOYOTA) EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS OBSERVED. HOWEVER, DURING A ROAD TEST, THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AGAIN WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THEY "CAUGHT" AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. A TOYOTA DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TODAY AFTER WHICH, WE WERE CALLED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. OTHER THAN A VISUAL INSPECTION AND ROAD TEST, TOYOTA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT TOYOTA IS TELLING ME TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #10072982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER BACK IN SEP. 2002 FOR $24,000.THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A MASTER KEY (MASTER KEY IS ONE OF THE INSPECTION POINT CHECK)AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A CAR JACK.THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 10 2003 I LOOKED AT ENGINE AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR.I NOTICED THE POOR WORKMANSHIP ON FRONT AND REAR BUMPER,SOME MUDD GUARDS ARE MISSING AND THE VIN LABLES LOOKS LIKE IT WAS PEELED OFF BEFORE AND THE ONES ON THE DOORS AND HOOD DOESN'T LOOK AUTHENTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10070572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
"THREW A ROD" WHILE HWY DRIVING. ENGINE SEIZED. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME INCLUDING OIL CHANGES. LAST OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS PRIOR. NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10069378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER BACK IN SEP. 2002 FOR $24,000.THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A MASTER KEY (MASTER KEY IS ONE OF THE INSPECTION POINT CHECK)AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A CAR JACK.THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 10 2003 I LOOKED AT ENGINE AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR.I NOTICED THE POOR WORKMANSHIP ON FRONT AND REAR BUMPER,SOME MUDD GUARDS ARE MISSING AND THE VIN LABLES LOOKS LIKE IT WAS PEELED OFF BEFORE AND THE ONES ON THE DOORS AND HOOD DOESN'T LOOK AUTHENTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10070572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.